|
 Darwin's
voyage on HMS Beagle, and the finches in particular, are known to have
influenced his thinking so that he would later produce a basic theory
of evolution by natural selection. Darwin reasoned that there had to
be a common ancestor. Later, much work was done by Peter and Rosemary
Grant. The
birds are all about the same size (10–20 cm). They mainly
differ in the form of the bill. The bill is adapted to the food they
eat. The birds are all brownish or black. They have short rounded
wings and a rounded tail that often appears cocked to one side. Most
male finch mature to a solid black color, while the females mature to
a drab grayish color. Exceptions are made for the Vegetarian and Tree
Finches
the males never become completely black rather they have a black head,
neck and upper breast. Warbler, Woodpecker and Mangrove Finches have
more of an olive color. |
